a student newspaper of the university of tulsa
september 16, 2013 issue 2 ~ volume 99
Tulsa struggles with its racist past Tulsa City Council renames Brady Street The Tulsa City Council voted to rename Brady Street in response to criticism of W. Tate Brady, for whom the street was named, and who played a prominent role in the Tulsa Outrage and the Tulsa Race Riot. Nikki Hager Staff Writer
T
ulsa’s walk of fame is located in the north of the Brady District, a new economic powerhouse and cultural center of the city. The star honoring W. Tate Brady is just a few blocks short of Brady Theater. Located squarely in between is Brady Street. A prominent businessman and founding member of the City of Tulsa, Tate Brady signed the original Tulsa City Charter. He opened the Brady Hotel, earning his wealth and reputation following the 1901 discovery of the Red Fork Oil Field. His businesses increased the status and appeal of Tulsa. However, allegations leveled by Oklahoma publication This Land link Brady to racial violence and conflict in the early 20th century. This Land asserts that in addition to being an admitted Ku Klux Klansmen, Brady was one of the major orchestrators behind the Tulsa Outrage of 1917, when members of the Industrial Workers of the World were tarred, feathered and run out of town on a rail.
Brady also participated in the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. Following the riots, he attempted to block reconstruction of the largely black Greenwood District, large swaths of which were burnt to the ground during the riot—which would have forced the majority of Tulsa’s black population to the outskirts of the town. These claims are causing significant upheaval in the Tulsa community, so much so that last month the Tulsa City Council considered legislation to rename Brady Street to Burlington Street, a name considered for the historic boulevard early in the city’s history. The Tulsa City Council Meeting on August 8 proposing the legislation drew 51 speakers from the community and spanned over four and a half hours. Numerous supporters of the measure sported t-shirts saying “Rename Brady” and “Stand Against Racism.” “Long story short, black folks in Tulsa have been left out of the system of improvement. Generally speaking we’ve gotten the short end of the stick,” said Tulsa native Regina Goodwin. “We talk about the Tate Brady name. We talk about the Klu Klux Klan. We talk about murder, and nooses, and burning and terrorists. We’re talking about 2013 and still seeing a divided city.” Various speakers throughout the evening echoed Goodwin’s sentiments. Several local business owners and Brady District patrons spoke
out in opposition of the change, however. “What I do know is that we are an inclusive community, not an exclusive community,” remarked Nicky Warren, who owns a business in the Brady District. “I believe in keeping the street name Brady,” said Warren, “not because we are honoring anyone in particular or his legacy, but because of the geographical identification that it gives people when they come to the area. To say you are on Brady Street, people know what you’re talking about.” Others argued that changing the name would lead to a “slippery
to getting over racism and putting it behind us,” said Councilor Henderson. When the council met again on August 15, Counselor Ewing offered an amendment to the legislation. Instead of changing Brady Street to Burlington Street, Ewing suggested changing it to M. Brady Street, honoring American Civil War photographer Mathew Brady. Mathew Brady lived and worked in New York and has no direct links to Tulsa. Additionally, Ewing suggested an honorary title to the street, Reconciliation Way. While it would
“While the street no longer honors Tate Brady, at the end of the day it remains Brady Street” slope,” as Tate Brady was not the only prominent racist Tulsan. The public conversation in the meeting was dominated by two arguments: one that maintained Tulsa had a moral duty to change the name, and the alternative, which held that changing the name would harm economic interests. At the end of the night, the council postponed the vote after council discussion revealed that the vote would be split, resulting in deadlock. The mayor also threatened the measure with veto. “I am really embarrassed and ashamed that we are going to leave this city tonight no closer together
True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center The True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center connects TU’s staff, faculty, and students to the community around us. Mentor, tutor, assist a teacher, monitor a playground or cafeteria, work in a Food Bank. We partner with over 75 agencies in and around the Tulsa area, so wherever your interests are we can find a place for you volunteer your time. Make a Difference Day This is a national event to spotlight community service in your area. TU will be joining other Kendall-Whittier community partners to clean up Kendall-Whittier Main Street on Oct 26th from 1 P.M. – 4 P.M.
not be the official name, he advocated Tulsans begin referring to the street in the same manner that 15th Street is often known as Cherry Street. Signs would be added atop the official street signs noting the honorary name. “Brady Street should be an example to the world of what reconciliation should look like,” Ewing said. After the Mayor expressed his support, the measure passed 7–1. Unlike the previous week, the amendment was not open for community input. While the street no longer honors Tate Brady, at the end of the
day, it remains the Brady Street. The controversy surrounding the street name is representative of changing tides in the Tulsa community. The city is being forced to confront issues surrounding race and ideology that date back to its founding. Regardless of the name change, such deep-seated sentiments are not easily resolved. Several unsatisfied constituents displayed their feelings during September’s First Friday Art Crawl, located in the Brady District. Duct tape labeled “Murder Street” was placed over a Brady Street sign. True to the artistic nature of the event, a display of protest caught the attention of onlookers. An African-American man sat in an alleyway, surrounded by traffic cones tailored to look like hoods, spray-painted white and marked with dark eyes. As people made their way down Brady Street, a crowd gathered around the display. While initially the man sat alone, one by one several white men sat next to him. The formal debate amongst officials may have ended following the compromise, but discussion within the community is far from over. Councilman Ewing said, “These community conversations have a value for us, if at the end of the day there is reconciliation; if we make progress and we somehow move past old issues and put them to rest; if we’re better for it than when we started.”
Community Service Work Study Would you like to work in a rewarding atmosphere? Do you qualify for Federal Work Study? You can use your work study at a non-profit agency or school, get paid $9 an hour and change a life! Reading Partners Reading can change a child’s life! Become a True Blue Neighbors Reading Partner at Kendall-Whittier Elementary, commit to 1 hour a week and a 45 minute training session and you can be the catalyst to launch a child’s education to a higher level.
For additional information on volunteer opportunities, contact Kathy Shelton in the True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center at kathy-shelton@utulsa.edu or call 918-631-3535.